WITTPENN’S ANTIQUES IN CARMEL-BY-THE SEA

This piece of glass in Wittpenn’s window starts it all. 

Bill and I have collected stained and beveled glass over the years and this piece is a knock-out. 

We first spot it when window shopping one October night 6 years ago. We stop to admire the Halloween theme and then we spot the glass.

The next day we return to bargain. Soft bluegrass music plays in the background and Chip Wittpenn stands behind the counter of his beautifully kept three room shop 

in Reimer’s Stonehouse Terrace 

on San Carlos Avenue, between 7th and 8th streets.

He is adamant. Not only will he not bargain, he states that he might not sell it even if we pay full price. He doesn’t carry anything he wouldn’t want to live with and now he is enjoying this piece and is not ready to pass it on.

Each year we try, thinking as we see it year after year, surely he will want to sell .

Then comes the year it is gone. He finally got an offer higher than his asking price and couldn’t refuse.

We are now in the habit of always checking out the new window display that Chip and his wife Kathy arrange so well.

The two of them start with a booth at the Cannery Row Antique Mall. When one booth grows to four, they make the move to Carmel.

We step in to treat our eyes to the mellow tones of

old wood,

brass,

silver, 

sparkling glass and

Copper such as this English kettle with spout that would have been used to heat water either over an open fire or in a fireplace.

As I admire this  English bronze inkwell dating around 1880-1910,

I hear Chip greeting customers. He knows the story behind each item they admire.

I ask about this stunning lamp with its 8 curved slag glass panels and extensive filigree and find out that it is a signed Miller. An American, Miller was first noted for his oil lamps but progressed with the times. This electric lamp dates around 1925-1935.

The Tiffany lamp isn’t manufactured by Tiffany it is made by a company in California, Lamps by Hilliard, and are quite collectible. The lamp is ” their Tiffany style, bronze base and leaded glass in the favrile flavor.This particular lamp isn’t being made any longer as it wasn’t cost effective. My understanding is that the only other place that has this floor lamp is the St. Francis hotel in San Francisco.

I am amused by this English plate which is part of the “Dickens Character” series manufactured by the Alfred Meakin Company C 1905-1920.

It sits behind this hammered copper, arts and crafts inkwell C. 1910-1920.

I believe my favorite piece is the George Clark spool cabinet C. 1880-1910. These cabinets were mainly found in general stores. The O.N.T., third drawer down, stands for Only New Thread. The customers would come in to the store and look in this drawer to see what new colors were available that month. These cabinets are now used for side tables, coffee tables and the drawers used for scrapbookers, seamstress, Jewelry, etc.

Wittpenn’s is also noted for Roseville and Rookwood Pottery 

and Hubley toys.

Chip plays mandolin and the bluegrass music I hear in the store is a recording of one of his bands’ practice sessions. He has a passion for musical instruments and sells violins, mandolins and guitars.

This visit, I meet William, the canine member of the family. He poses for treats and I snap a shot. He is one of Carmel’s many “shop” dogs.

As I start to leave, I see it.

Oh no, another great piece of glass. Better go get Bill.

Wittpenn’s Antiques – Carmel, California – Welcome